The Dimension of Feeling, curated by Maria Korolevskaya: Celebrating womanhood and its reflection in paintings of ten female artists
Installation view of ‘The Dimension of Feeling’, curated by Maria Korolevskaya, presented by Vortic Curated
L’écriture feminine
In her magnum opus Le rire de la Méduse (1975) French literary critic Hélène Cixous introduces the concept of écriture feminine, a form of writing that celebrates the creative potential of language and its capacity to express desire, sensuality, and the complexities of women's experiences. She argues that écriture féminine, writing in the ‘feminine’, emphasizes the fluidity and multiplicity of women's voices and subjectivities, suggesting that women's writing should embrace the unconscious, the body, and the senses.
In April 2024, Maria Korolevskaya collaborated with Vortic Curated and worked on an exhibition The Dimension of Feeling to explore Cixous’ idea in paintings.
Anna Woodward, Swimming in Moonshine, 2022. Installation view of ‘The Dimension of Feeling’, curated by Maria Korolevskaya, presented by Vortic Curated
From Maro Gorky to Natalia Goncharova
By employing Cixous framework, the exhibition analysed how artists draw power and freedom of expression from womanhood. The show took place from the 25th of April until the 11th of July in Vortic’s augmented reality. Ten women artists were selected, each of which plays an important role in Maria’s work: Jade Ching-yuk Ng, Ana Benavides, Laura Gannon, Maro Gorky, Yulia Iosilzon, Natalia Goncharova, Ada M.Patterson, Jorunn Hancke Ogstad, Sophie von Hellerman, and Anna Woodward.
The opening was co-hosted by The House of KOKO’s Penthouse, where the artworks were presented in flesh. The show aimed to explore the multifaceted dimensions of female creativity and power across the 20th and 21st centuries. Drawing from private collections and previously unseen works, The Dimension of Feeling celebrated the evolution, challenges, and enduring truths of female identity and artistic expression.
Yulia Iosilzon, Chameleon Vol II, 2024. Installation view of ‘The Dimension of Feeling’, curated by Maria Korolevskaya, presented by Vortic Curated
A dialogue through generations
The artists from different eras who never had a chance to interact or collaborate were united. On their behalf, this dialogue between the artists and their work opened up. Inspired by the insights of Maro Gorky, the show took a unique approach, connecting artists across generations. The exhibition celebrated femininity as a source of freedom, inspiration, strength, and confidence.
"Authenticity lies in embracing your truth. The Dimension of Feeling showcases this through the exploration and expression of our feelings, inviting us on a journey toward discovering our true selves. The exhibition and ideas around it are quite personal to me as the majority of the featured artists I have long-standing relationships with. To see the works come together in this way has been particularly special.”, - commented Maria Korolevskaya.
Maria Korolevskaya at the exhibition opening co-hosted by The House of KOKO